Aggregating context data for programmable search engines

ABSTRACT

Search results are generated using aggregated context data from two or more contexts. When two or more programmable search engines relate to a similar topic, context data associated with the programmable search engines are aggregated. The context is then applied to a query in order to present, in an integrated manner, relevant search results that make use of context intelligence from more than one programmable search engine.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 USC §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/749,193, filed on Mar. 29, 2010, now allowed, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/202,383, filed on Aug. 10, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,716,199, issued on May 11, 2010, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention is related to the following copending patent applications, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference:

-   -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/202,423, filed on Aug. 10,         2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,693,830, issued on Apr. 6, 2010, for         “Programmable Search Engine”;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/201,754, filed on Aug. 10,         2005, for “Generating and Presenting Advertisements based on         Context Data for Programmable Search Engines”;     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/202,382, filed on Aug. 10,         2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,742,045, issued on Jun. 22, 2010, for         “Sharing Context Data Across Programmable Search Engines”; and     -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/202,382, filed on Aug. 10,         2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,743,045, issued on Jun. 22, 2010, for         “Detecting Spam Related and Biased Contexts for Programmable         Search Engines”.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates in general to search engines, and more particularly, to aggregating context data for programmable search engines.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The development of information retrieval systems has predominantly focused on improving the overall quality of the search results presented to the user. The quality of the results has typically been measured in terms of precision, recall, or other quantifiable measures of performance. Information retrieval systems, or “search engines” in the context of the Internet and World Wide Web, use a wide variety of techniques to improve the quality and usefulness of the search results. These techniques address every possible aspect of search engine design, from the basic indexing algorithms and document representation, through query analysis and modification, to relevance ranking and result presentation, methodologies too numerous to fully catalog here.

Regardless of the particular implementation technique, the fundamental architectural assumption for search engines has been that the search engine's operational model is fixed and non-alterable by entities external to the system itself. That is, the search engine operates essentially as a “black box” that receives a search query, processes the query using a preprogrammed search algorithm and relevance ranking model, and provides the search results. Even where the details of the search algorithm are publicly disclosed, the search engine itself still operates only according to this algorithm and nothing more.

An inherent problem in the design of search engines is that the relevance of search results to a particular user depends on factors that are highly dependent on the user's intent in conducting the searched (in other words, the reason they are conducting the search) as well as the user's circumstances (in other words, the facts pertaining to the user's information need). Thus, given the same query by two different users, a given set of search results can be relevant to one user and irrelevant to another, entirely because of the different intent and information needs. Most attempts at solving the problem of inferring a user's intent typically depend on relatively weak indicators, such as static user preferences, or predefined methods of query reformulation that are nothing more than educated guesses about what the user is interested in based on the query terms. Approaches such as these cannot fully capture user intent because such intent is itself highly variable and dependent on numerous situational facts that cannot be extrapolated from typical query terms.

Consider, for example a user query for “Canon Digital Rebel”, which is the name of a currently popular digital camera. From the query alone it is impossible to determine the user's intent, for example, whether the user is interested in purchasing such a camera, or whether the user owns this camera already and needs technical support, or whether the user is interested in comparing the camera with competitive offerings, or whether the user is interested in learning to use this camera. That is, the user's situational facts (e.g., whether or not they own the camera currently, their level of expertise in the subject area), and their information need (e.g., the type, form, level of detail, of the request information) cannot themselves be reliably determined by either analysis of query terms, or resort to previously stored preference data about the user.

Another method of inferring intent is the tracking and analysis of prior user queries to build a model of the user's interests. Thus, some search engines store search queries by individual users, and then attempt to determine the user's interests based on frequency of key words appearing in the search queries, as well as which search results the user accesses. One problem with this approach is the assumption that queries accurately reflect a user's interests, either short term or long term. Another is that it assumes that there is a direct and identifiable relationship between a given information need, say shopping for a digital camera, and the particular query terms used to find information relevant to that need. That assumption however is incorrect, as the same query terms can be used by the same (or different users) having quite different information needs. Furthermore, such a technique is limited in its effectiveness because only one type of data (prior searches) is used. Other contextual and situational information is not captured or represented in query history and cannot therefore be used in such a methodology.

Perhaps because in part of the inability of contemporary search engines to consistently find information that satisfies the user's information need, and not merely the user's query terms, users frequently turn to websites that offer highly specialized information about particular topics. These websites are typically constructed by individuals, groups, or organizations that have expertise in the particular subject area (e.g., knowledge about digital cameras). Such sites, referred to herein as vertical content sites, often include specifically created content that provides in-depth information about the topic, as well as organized collections of links to other related sources of information. For example, a website devoted to digital cameras typically includes product reviews, guidance on how to purchase a digital camera, as well as links to camera manufacturer's sites, price comparison engines, other sources of expert opinion and the like. In addition, the domain experts often have considerable knowledge about which other resources available on the Internet are of value and which are not. Using his or her expertise, the content developer can at best structure the site content to address the variety of different information needs of users.

However, while such vertical content sites provide extensive useful information that the user can access to address a particular current information need, the problem remains that when the user returns to a general search engine to further search for relevant information, none of the expertise provided by the vertical content site is made available to the search engine. Many vertical content sites provide a search field from which the user can access a general search engine. This field is merely used to pass a user's search query back to the general search engine. However, none of the expertise that is expressed in the vertical content site is directly available to the general search engine as part of the user's query in order to provide more meaningful search results. The expert content developer has no formal, programmatic way of passing information to the general search engine that expresses his or her expertise in their particular knowledge site.

In other words, there are no contemporary search engines that can be programmed by external entities, such as vertical content sites, during the search process itself, in way that can enhance the search process with the expertise of the content developer of the vertical content site.

Furthermore, there is generally no mechanism for aggregating context data that has been harvested from a number of programmable search engines. Furthermore, there is generally no mechanism for automatically determining how to redirect and/or process search queries in accordance with programmable search techniques, even when the user has not entered the query at a vertical search site. Finally, there is no mechanism for leveraging aggregated context data in order to determine how to redirect and/or process search queries.

SUMMARY

A user's query is processed using context information. Processing can include any combination of pre-processing operations (conducted prior to query execution) and post-processing operations (conducted on the search results from query execution). The pre-processing operations include operations to revise, modify or expand the query, to select one or more document collections on which to conduct the search, to set various search algorithm parameters for evaluating the query, or any other type of operation that can refine, improve, or otherwise enhance the quality of the user's search query. The context-processed query is then executed by a search engine to obtain a set of search results. The post-processing operations applied to the search results include operations to filter, organize, and annotate the search results as well as provide links to related contexts for other types of information or information needs. The context processing operations can be provided by a programmable search engine site, by a vertical content provider site, or by a client device. The context processing operations are controlled by context files that include commands, parameters, and instructions. The context files may be stored at the programmable search engine site, at various vertical content providers, or at a client device. Context files from multiple different sources can be used jointly. Context processing can also be limited to either pre-processing, or post-processing. The selection of which context files to apply to a given user query or a set of search results can be based on the query, the user, the client device, the vertical content site from which the query was received. The selection may be based as well on one or more subscriptions that a user has to particular vertical content providers, or popularity or reputation of a vertical content provider.

According to one aspect of the present invention, context data harvested from a number of programmable search engines are aggregated when appropriate (for example, when the programmable search engines all relate to a similar topic). Correspondences among programmable search engines are identified. For each such correspondence set, the system of the present invention merges the filters and annotations associated with the context in each of the correspondence classes. In one aspect, this is done by generating the result set from each of the contexts and merging them, using for example a rank aggregation technique to determine the order of the results in the resulting answer set. In this manner, the system of the present invention is able to present, in an integrated manner, relevant search results that make use of context intelligence from more than one programmable search engine.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a search engine automatically determines how to redirect and/or process a search query in accordance with programmable search techniques, even when the user has not entered the query at a vertical search site. Thus, the invention is able to provide improved search results that make use of context intelligence, even when the query is entered at a general search site.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a search engine uses aggregated context data to determine how to redirect and/or process search queries.

The invention also has embodiments in computer program products, systems, user interfaces, and computer implemented methods for facilitating the described functions and behaviors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a page from a host domain having a search field for accessing the programmable search engine.

FIG. 2 illustrates the results of a search from the host domain.

FIG. 3 illustrates a further page accessed from the search results page.

FIG. 4 illustrates a generalized system architecture for a programmable search engine including context aggregation functionality.

FIG. 5 illustrates a first system architecture for a programmable search engine.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second system architecture for a programmable search engine.

FIG. 7 illustrates a third system architecture for a programmable search engine.

FIG. 8 illustrates a combined system architecture for a programmable search engine.

FIG. 9 is a screen shot showing an example of search results that use aggregated contexts, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for aggregating contexts according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a set of context files.

The Figures depict various embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the illustrated and described structures, methods, and functions may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Introduction to Programmable Search

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown an example of the user experience in using a programmable search system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 there is shown a page 100 from a host site, digitalslr.org, which is an example of a vertical content site, here the field of digital cameras. Content and organization of page 100 reflect the viewpoint and knowledge and of the entity that provides the site content. A vertical content site can be on any topic, and offer any type of information, and thus is not limited in that regard. For example, vertical content sites include sites on particular technologies or products (e.g., digital cameras or computers), political websites, blogs, community forums, news organizations, personal websites, industry associations, just to a name a few. What vertical content sites offer is a particular perspective and understanding of the world, one that may be of interest and value to some users. This perspective and understanding can be expressed, at least in part, by the content provider's organization and selection of content, as well as commentary, analysis or links to other content (e.g., commentary on other sites on the Internet). Indeed, one valuable aspect of vertical content sites is the particular collection of links to other sites that the content developer has judged to be useful in some regard, either for its depth, expertise, viewpoint, or the like. That is, users in general find value in the judgments of vertical content providers as to the usefulness of other sources of information on the Internet.

The host site includes a web server for serving pages, like page 100, to client devices. The pages are stored in some repository, such as a database, collection of file directories, or the like. Thus, for example, the page 100 includes commentary on the latest camera offerings from various companies, as well as a link 102 to another site with relevant information about digital cameras. Of interest in this example is the search field 104, which allows the user to search the Internet using a general search engine system (not shown), such as the Google® search engine provided by Google, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif. (of course in other embodiments, other search engines may be used). The user enters a search query in the search field 104. Here, the query is “Nikon d100”.

Activating the search button 106 causes the web server to transmit the search query to the search engine system using existing web protocols. In this example embodiment, in addition to the search query, the host site web server transmits a context file to the search engine system. Alternatively, the web server can transmit a link to the context file, or simply a context file identifier. The context file includes data that the search engine system uses to control the operation of the search engine itself in processing the search query and in presenting the search results, in effect, programming the search engine's operation. Thus, the context file, as will be further detailed below, can be understood as a set of instructions to the search engine system for processing a particular search query. The instructions can control, for example, three aspects of the search process: 1) pre-query processing operations; 2) search engine control information; 3) post-query processing operations. In addition, a context file can optionally include descriptions of (or links to) other context files, which likewise provide further programmatic control of the search engine system.

An advantage of the present invention is that the context information provides guidance as to how to tailor search results so that the results better suit the user's needs.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a search results page 200 that is provided to the user's client device following processing of the context file and the search query. This page 200 includes a set of search results 202 that satisfy the search query, as well as additional information. First, there is displayed a name of the current context 208 that has been provided to the search engine system. In one embodiment this name is a description that the vertical content site developer has given to express the type of information need or contextual circumstances that pertains to the current search query. Here, for example, the current context 208 is for a “Camera Model”, since the search query matched a specific camera model name as determined by processing of the context file. This context operates as the entry point for a user seeking information about a particular camera model.

Second, a number of links 204 are provided as navigational aids to further pages that address different possible information needs of the user. Each of these links 204 is associated with a related context file, which will provide further instructions to the search engine system to tailor further stages in the search process for a specific information need, and thereby construct the desired pages. For example, the first link, “If you are trying to decide which camera to buy”, addresses a specific type of user information need: information about how to purchase a camera, comparisons between camera, pricing information, and the like. This need derives from a specific type of user intent, specifically the intent to purchase a camera. The second link, “Where to buy this camera from . . . ”, addresses a different and more specific information need: the location of vendors for that particular camera. The last link, “If you already own one . . . ”, addresses another type of information need: information that a current own would want, such as technical support and service information.

Page 200 also includes links 206 to other related contexts as well, such as “More Manufacturer Pages”, “More Guides”, “More Reviews”, and so forth. These links each invoke a particular context in which the vertical content provider has characterized particular sites and pages, and then defined a filter for the search engine to select pages with the matching characteristics when processing the reformulated search query.

For example, the vertical content provider has here previously identified a number of different sites or pages on the Internet as being variously manufacturer sites, product review, buying guides, and so forth (e.g., according to the type of site). The vertical content provider can label (or tag) a site with any number of category labels. The labels can describe any characteristic that the vertical content provider deems of interest, including topical (e.g., cameras, medicine, sports), type (e.g., manufacturer, academic, blog, government), level of discourse (e.g., lay, expert, professional, pre-teen), quality of content (poor, good, excellent), numerical rating, and so forth. The ontology (i.e., set of labels) used by the vertical content provider can be either proprietary (e.g., internally developed) or public, or a combination thereof.

For example, in this example, the vertical site provider has previously identified a number of sites as containing product reviews, and has stored this information in a context file. The link 206 to “More reviews” automatically instructs the system engine system to use this context file to filter the search results during post-processing to those pages that are from sites characterized as product reviews, and satisfying the reformulated query.

Fourth, the page 200 includes various annotations 210 in conjunction with various ones of the search results. These annotations 210 provide the user with the viewpoint or opinion of the vertical content provider about the particular search result, as to any aspect of that search result that the provider considers significant, such as what the identified search result is about, how useful it is, or the like.

The placement, naming, and sequencing of the various links 204, 206 are themselves defined in the context files. This gives the vertical content provider control over the organization and presentation of the search results, which in and of itself represents that provider's particular perspective and determination of what are the user's likely information needs, and how the search results should be organized to satisfy those needs, and which related contexts should appear in response to each level of search by the user.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example page 300 that is provided to the user as a result of clicking on the first link 204, “If you are trying to decide which camera to buy.” The context file associated with this link 204 is processed, and a second search is performed on the search query. This page 300 shows the context name 308 “Choosing a camera”, which again reflects the selected information need of the user. The search results 302 in this context are more specifically tailored to assisting the user in evaluating digital cameras and selecting a satisfactory one. Notice, for example, the first search result is to a buying guide for digital cameras, and that there are no search results shows shown here to technical support pages.

Above the search results 302 are links 304 to further related contexts based on information needs, such as “Reviews, sample photographs”, “Other similar cameras to consider”, and “Relevant product news”. Again, these links have associated context files that will control the search engine system to provide search results that are relevant to the described information needs for these contexts. Next to the search results are additional links 306, which are also to related contexts, and for example to further professional and user reviews of digital cameras, sample photographs, and other information particularly relevant to evaluating a camera for purchase.

The user can thus continue to access additional related content through the various links 304, 306, each time obtaining search results that have been processed according to the context files associated with the selected links. In this way, the user can essentially search the Internet using the powerful capabilities of a general search engine, while simultaneously obtaining the benefit of the knowledge, expertise, and perspective of the provider of the vertical content site. Vertical content site providers benefit from this approach as it allows them to further share their knowledge and perspective with users. Vertical content providers are no longer limited to the information that they can either create themselves, provide links to, or comment upon.

In one embodiment, the method of the present invention is used for presenting search results generated by vertical search engines (VSEs) even when the user entered the search query at a general search site (such as google.com). Thus, searches entered at general sites can yield results that are informed by vertical content sites. In one embodiment, each VSE is characterized by a set of query terms for which it applies. Based on these query terms and/or other factors surrounding the query and the user, the system of the present invention automatically determines how to redirect and/or process a search query, including enhancing results based on results from VSEs. Thus, the invention is able to provide improved search results that make use of context intelligence, even when the query is entered at a general search site. In this manner, the present invention integrates access to high-quality vertical search engines (and their results) into an interface for a general search engine, so as to improve the search experience even for those users who have not yet used (and may not even be aware of) these vertical search engines.

For example, links to relevant VSEs can be provided on a search results page, thus providing the user with an easy way to access improved search results by simply clicking on a VSE link. Should the user do so, the query is run at the VSE corresponding to the link. In one embodiment, a recommendation and reputation network is used to select the set of VSEs presented to the user (highly-recommended VSEs are favored over less-recommended ones).

According to one embodiment, context aggregation is performed so that a single link can provide access to results from two or more VSEs. Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown an example page 900 providing access to search results that use aggregated contexts according to one embodiment. Here, links 204 provide access to search results obtained using context information from more than one vertical content site. For example, the first link 204 (“If you are trying to decide which digital camera to buy”) provides search results obtained using context information from websites including dpreview, dcresource, digitalslr, and others. The fourth link 204 (“Accessories, Manuals, etc.”) provides search results obtained using context information from websites including amazon.com, Outpost, and others. In one embodiment, an onscreen tag 951 can be displayed to indicate the sources of the aggregated context information. In one embodiment, tag 951 can be presented as a rollover tooltip that appears when the user causes the cursor to hover over the link 204. In other embodiments, tag 951 can take another form or be shown in a different manner, or it can be omitted altogether.

The technique illustrated in FIG. 9 provides several advantages. If several vertical content sites exist for a particular type of query (such as deciding which digital camera to buy), the user is not forced to choose one particular website to be the source of search results. Instead, the user can see search results corresponding to all of the vertical content sites that are relevant to the type of query the user is interested in. In the example of FIG. 9, the user can see, with a single click, relevant search results from a number of websites that all specialize in providing digital camera purchasing guidance. Thus, the expertise from a number of different vertical content providers can be combined and shown within a single set of results.

Each link 204 can provide access to search results from any number of vertical content sites. As will be described in more detail below, the present invention automatically determines which vertical content sites have contexts that are suitable for aggregation with one another. In this manner, the present invention reduces the effort on the part of the user for in searching for valuable information given the user's current state, purchasing position, activity, and/or other characteristics.

With the capabilities of the present invention, vertical content providers can define any variety of context files to meet any type of information need that users may have. The providers of the general search engine system are no longer burdened with the task of themselves organizing and categorizing content (as is conventionally done in various directories and portals), but instead can rely upon the much deeper and vaster pool of vertical content providers—hundreds of millions or more—as compared with the limited pool of editors that may organize content directories or categorize other websites for a general search engine. The present invention thus provides any vertical content site provider with the capability to programmatically control the general search engine system on behalf of a user conducting a search. In addition, by aggregating contexts in the manner described herein, the present invention provides a mechanism by which search results associated with different contexts can be shown together.

System Overview

FIGS. 4 through 8 illustrate a number of different system architectures in which the present invention can be employed. These architectures generally vary in terms of which entities provide the context files and which entities processes the context files to control the search process and search result presentation. In general, the context files can be provided by any system entity (e.g., any of a client device, a host vertical site, or the search engine system), and can likewise by processed by any system entity, or any combination there.

Referring first then to FIG. 4, there is shown a generic system architecture for providing context aggregation. In this system architecture, there is a client device 402, a content server 406, context server 410, a context processor 408, and a programmable search engine (PSE) 404.

The client 402 can be any type of client, including any type of computer (e.g., desktop computer, workstation, notebook, mainframe, terminal, etc.), handheld device (personal digital assistant, cellular phone, etc.), or the like. The client device 402 need only have the capability to communicate over a network (e.g. Internet, telephony, LAN, WAN, or combination thereof) with the PSE 404. Typically, a client device 402 supports a browser application, and the appropriate networking applications and components, all of which are known to those of skill in the art. The client device 402 may include as well a search engine interface that allows it to directly query the PSE 404.

The user of the client 402 constructs and transmits a search query to the PSE 404, via the content server 406, which includes a search engine interface (SEI) 409. This can be via a search query field on a host site that includes the content server 406, along with an underlying link to initiate processing of the input text and forwarding the results thereof to the PSE 404, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The content server 406 selects an appropriate context file, as identified by a context ID. The selection of the context file can be based on the query itself, the client device 402, the user identification, default selection parameters, user site behavior (e.g., page accesses, dwell times, clicks) or other information programmatically available to the content server 406. The context ID may be a URL, a unique context name, a numerical ID, or some other form of reference to the context file.

The content server 406 transmits the query along with the context ID to the context processor 408. Alternatively, content server 406 can provide the identified context file directly to the context processor. Depending on the embodiment, the content server 406 may also be responsible for serving content pages to the client device 402.

In one embodiment, the content server 406 transmits more than one context ID (and/or context file) to the context processor 408. Thus, for example, if more than one vertical content site is appropriate for the entered query, the content server 406 may provide URLs (or other context file identifiers) corresponding to each.

The context processor 408 uses the received context IDs to obtain the identified context files from the content server 410. In one embodiment, the context processor 408 identifies additional context IDs appropriate to the query, for example by providing an identifier of the client device 402 (e.g., IP address, browser type, operating system, device type), the user (e.g., user ID), or host domain from which the search query is received, or the search query itself, to obtain further context files from the context server 410.

As discussed above, a context file (or collection of context files) can include, for example, three types of programmatic information that can be used in any combination by the context processor 408 and/or PSE 404 to control the search process. These are: 1) pre-query processing operations; 2) search engine parameter control; and 3) post-query processing operations. This programmatic information will be discussed as part of the operational flow.

The context files may take various embodiments. In the some embodiments, the context files are individual files stored in a file system. In other embodiments, the context files are stored in a database system, again as either separate files, or of database entries, tables or other structures. For example, a context file in database embodiment may be stored as a collection of context records for an identified source (e.g., a specific vertical content provider), a type (e.g., knowledge base, site/page annotation, etc.), associated commands (e.g., evaluation, restriction, redirection, relation, annotation, etc.), and remaining attributes and conditions. Accordingly, no limitation is imposed on the underlying implementation of the context files by the present invention.

The context processor 408 processes the context files to perform various pre-processing operations, to programmatically generate a reformulated query. These pre-processing operations may be performed independently or in any combination to obtain a reformulated query. These include the following:

a) Query revision: the modification, addition, or deletion of or one or more terms of the original query. Such modifications include correcting spelling errors, replacing query terms, adding query terms (as conjuncts, or as disjuncts) or deleting query terms (e.g. stop word removal). The added or replaced terms may broaden or narrow the scope of a query.

b) Creation of additional queries: For example, given an original search query of “digital SLR”, an additional query may be “digital camera”. In one embodiment, these additional terms are incorporated into the search query as disjunctive phrases. In another embodiment, each of these additional queries is a separate query that potentially has its own filters, ranking, and the like.

These types of query reformulations are expressed in the context file as a series of query rewrite rules. The query rewrite rules generally define an output query (or query term) based on matching one or more terms of the original query (e.g., replace “digicam” with “digital camera”). Other rules may be applied automatically as defaults, without being conditioned on the terms of the query.

The second type of control information processed by the context processor 408 are search engine control data. These include:

a) selection of one or more search engines for processing the reformulated search query. The PSE 404 may include any number of different search engines, each of which is optimized for certain types of searches. For example, different search engines are typically used for text searches, image searches, and audio searches. A search engine typically will generate an information retrieval score for various documents in terms of their relevance to the search query. A context file can specify which search engine or engines is/are to be used (e.g., by identification of particular URLs for the search engines). A single search can integrate results from different engines. The context processor 408 extracts the identified search engine(s), and constructs the appropriate query string using the reformulated query.

b) selection of one or more search document collections on which to search. A search engine system will typically have access to multiple different document collections, which can be searched jointly, or individually. The provider of the context file may instruct the PSE 404 to use one or more specific document collections for a particular search. For example, a vertical content site for healthcare professional, may receive a search for “migraine”, and instruct the search engine system to search the PubMed database provided by the National Library of Medicine, rather than a more general search of the Internet. This constraint better tailors the results to the medical literature most likely to be relevant to the information need of a healthcare professional, rather than the typical results to such a query on the Internet. The context file can specify which document collections are to be used (e.g., by specification of a database, index, or other context repository). The context processor 408 extracts this information from the context file as well, and passes it the selected search engine as a parameter.

c) specification of search engine parameters for use during query processing. Most search engine algorithms operate under a large number of parameterized controls when generating information retrieval scores, such as threshold values for scoring query term matches, iteration cycles, waiting of links, terms and other query or document attributes. Normally, these parameters are not accessible to entities outside of the search engine system, but rather are fixed by the search engine provider. However, in some embodiments of the present invention, the search engine system may be configured to receive and use any of these types of parameters, thereby giving further incremental programmatic control of the search engine to the vertical content developments. Again, the context processor 408 extracts these parameters from the context file and passes them to the search engine 404 as parameters.

Where more than one context is provided to the context processor 408, the context aggregator 1101 combines the various contexts received from context server 410 before the reformulated query is passed to the PSE 404. In one embodiment, the context processor 408 itself identifies additional contexts to be included in the aggregation.

In one embodiment, context aggregator 1101 is implemented as a component of the context processor 408. In another embodiment, it is implemented as part of PSE 404 or as a separate component. In one embodiment, aggregation includes generating a reformulated query that combines, in an additive manner, various parameters specified in the individual contexts. For example, if a first context adds a first term to a query, and a second context adds a second term to the query, the aggregated context adds both terms to the query. As another example, if a first context specifies a search engine or search document collection, and a second context specifies a second search engine or document collection, the aggregated context includes both search engines or document collections. The context aggregator 1101 also removes duplicate terms, search engines, document collections, or other characteristics of contexts, so as to improve efficiency and reduce undue weighting.

The context-processed query, which includes the reformulated query and the search engine control data (if any) that are specified in the context file, is thus provided to the PSE 404. If multiple queries are constructed during pre-processing, the context processor sends each of the multiple queries and their associated search engine control data (which may be individually varied) for each additional query.

The PSE 404 processes the reformulated query using the search engine control data (if any) to obtain a set of context-processed search results, and provides these search results to the context processor 408. If multiple queries are processed, then the PSE 404 can merge the results from these searches.

The context processor 408 then provides various post-processing operations, which again may be performed independently or conjointly. The results of this post-processing made part of the context-processed search results. The post-processing operations include:

a) filtering the context-processed search results using filters specified in the identified context. The context file may specify one or more filters that the context processor 408 can apply to further limit the documents that are included in the search results. These filters are expressed in terms of rules that match metadata with particular metadata associated each search result. The metadata can include both native metadata to the document, such the document type, date, author, site, size, or labeled metadata associated with the document, that is the labeled characteristics provided by the vertical content provider (or others).

For example, the filters may be defined to exclude documents of certain types (either physical types, e.g., image files, or logical types, e.g., “reviews”), from particular sites or internet domains (e.g., documents from the .biz or .gov domain), websites, or of a certain vintage (e.g., documents published before Mar. 3, 2005). Referring back then to the example of FIG. 3, the link 306 for “More Professional reviews” would invoke a filters defined to select only documents labeled as “professional”, “product reviews”. Again, these labels can be provided by the vertical content provider from which the original query was sourced, or from some other source. These options will be more fully discussed below.

b) ranking of the context-processed search results using ranking parameters specified in the context file. The context file can include ranking parameters, such as weighting factors to increase or decreases the IR scores for particular types of documents, for documents from selected sources. The ranking function may also operate on identifiable native or labeled metadata. For example, the rankings can be adjusted based on length of document, publication date, or document format just to name a few. Alternatively, the ranking may be adjusted based on labeled metadata, such ranking by expressed “rank” value, or by as increasing the native ranking of documents labeled as “expert” by a weight factor, or increasing the ranking of documents having some specified quality measure of “10”. The context processor 408 can use these ranking parameters to rank the documents in the search results.

c) clustering of the search results using clustering parameters. The context processor 408 may also cluster (group) the search results according to parameters provided in the context file. The parameters can specific clustering based on native or labeled metadata. Thus, all documents labeled as “professional reviews” can be clustered together; or all documents where are image files can be clustered, or documents from a given domain (e.g., all documents from xxxx.com).

d) providing navigational links in the context-processed search results to additional contexts. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the context processor may also provide links that can be accessed to invoke additional searches for further refinements of the information needs of the user. Each such related context link invokes another cycle of pre-processing and/or post-processing by the context processor 408 and if so instructed, another cycle of query processing by the PSE 404.

e) annotating the context-processed search results using annotations specified in the identified context. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the context file may also provide specific annotations 210 that can be included with any of the search results.

In one embodiment, the system of the present invention does not change the order in which the initial results are presented, but annotates the results with the labels that apply to them. Clicking on a label issues a new search restricted to the results matching this tag. In yet another embodiment, these annotations need not be labels but can be links to relevant pages on other sites.

Thus, the context files can include conditional instructions that define various types of Annotations. These annotations are provided by the annotate command. In one embodiment, this command has the following syntax:

-   -   <Annotate count=“n”>         -   annotation condition*         -   annotation action*     -   </Annotation>

The annotation condition operates in a similar manner to a restriction condition. Here, the annotation condition is evaluated with respect to the attributes (tags), if any, associated with the search results, as compared to the entries in the site/page annotation file. Any attribute (or set of attributes) can be used as annotation conditions, such as the type, source, year, location, or the like, of a document or page. The context processor receives the search results from the search engine, and compares each result (be it a site, page, media page, document, etc.) with the entries listed in the site/page annotation file 900. Results that satisfy the condition are annotated with the annotation action. Annotate commands can be used by themselves or in combination with any of the other commands, including Restrictions.

In one embodiment, the context file is left implicit and only consists of Annotation commands, where each result that is assigned a tag/label/annotation by the annotation files is annotated with that label/annotation. Further, the user may be ‘subscribed’ to a number of annotation files or ‘feeds’, all of which are applied to the user's search results. In yet another embodiment, the user can also indicate that he would like the feeds used by another user to also be applied to him.

In yet another embodiment, the query does not originate at the vertical content site, but at a general search engine site. The system of the present invention provides a mechanism by which the knowledge provided by the vertical content site is applied even for searches entered at a general site such as google.com. In one embodiment, the user indicates to the search engine, either while using the VSE or through a sign up process similar to that used to subscribe to RSS feeds, that he or she would like to apply the VSE's contexts which conducting searches of a particular type. In another embodiment, selection and use of a particular VSE is performed automatically.

The context processor 408 then provides the context-processed search results to the client device 402. As noted, the user can access any of the related context links, or perform entirely new queries, again making use of any context files that are selected based on such queries.

The client device 402 may also query the PSE 404 directly, either through its search engine interface 409, or simply by going to the website of the PSE 404 entering the query directly there. In this scenario, context processing is still handled by the context processor 408 in manner described above.

In one embodiment, the context aggregator 1101 aggregates search results. Multiple queries to PSE 404 may be generated, yielding multiple sets of results. The context aggregator 1101 combines these sets of results, removing duplication and sorting/ranking remaining results intelligently, so as to present the complete results of all queries in a unified, integrated manner. If post-processing includes annotation, the context aggregator 1101 ensures that annotations for all relevant contexts are presented in a uniform manner, without duplication.

Thus, the context aggregator 1101 can perform aggregation at the pre-processing stage (by aggregating contexts for queries to be performed) and/or at the post-processing stage (by aggregating results after queries have been performed).

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is a shown a system architecture in which the context processing operations are provided by the PSE system itself. Again, there is a client device 502 as before, including a browser 503, along with a host vertical content site 504, and a PSE system 500. The vertical host vertical content site 504 includes a vertical content server 506 (e.g., a web and/or application server) and vertical content files 505 (e.g., a database or directory of web pages). Also present are vertical context files 507. The vertical content site 504 also includes a search engine interface 509 to the PSE system 500, such as a search field and search button as illustrated in FIG. 1. The user accesses the vertical content site 504. From that site, he or she enters a search query to be processed by the PSE system 500. The vertical content server 506 processes the search query to determine a number of context IDs for appropriate context files, and transmits the search query and context IDs to the PSE system 500. For example, the context IDs can be transmitted as parameters in one or more URLs to the PSE system 500. The vertical content site 504 also includes a number of conventional components (e.g. firewalls, router, load balancers, etc.) not shown here in order to not obscure the relevant details of the embodiment.

The PSE system 500 includes a number of components. A front end server 510 provides the basic interface for receiving search queries. The front end server 510 extracts the context IDs and query, and passes them to a context processor 520. The front end server 552 may also provide an identifier of the client device or the user to the context processor 520. The context processor 520 provides the context IDs and query, to the context server 530. The context server 530 uses the context IDs to retrieve context files from a repository of cached context files 540. The context files are received from any vertical content site 504, via a registration interface 560. This allows any provider of a vertical content site 504 to define the context files that are to be used for handling queries from their site and upload such context files for storage by the PSE system 500. Alternatively, the context files are extracted from the vertical content sites 504 by a context file web crawler 580. The registration and crawling methods may be used together. One implementation would be for the vertical content site 504 to first register its context files 507, which includes putting the site address on a crawl list. Subsequently, the crawler 580 crawls the site 504 to obtain any updates to the context files 507. Caching of the context files ensures very high speed processing of the context files at query time, since context processor 520 does not need to retrieve the context files from the remotely vertical content site 504, and thereby does not incur network latency (or problems with the vertical content site being unavailable).

The context server 530 may also obtain context files from a repository of global context files 542. These context files can be derived from data mining on the cached context files 540, provided by the provider of the PSE system 500, or any combination thereof. Such context data can include any information that is deemed relevant and persistent with respect to the user and/or client 502.

The context aggregator 1101 combines the contexts. The context server 530 then provides the aggregated context file to the context processor 520. The context processor 520 performs the appropriate pre-processing operations (if any) as defined in the context file to generate the reformulated query, and establish the search engine control data as set forth above, as part of the context-processed query. The search engine 550 receives the context-processed query, including reformulated query and search engine control data, and executes a search on same to provide a set of context-processed search query results. These results are passed back to the context processor 520, which performs the post-processing operations on the search results as defined in the context file, to further modify the context-processed search results. If appropriate, the context aggregator 1101 aggregates search results. These context-processed results are then transmitted back to the client device 502.

This architecture provides various benefits. First, it provides for high-speed access to the context files and eliminates reliance on the availability of the remote vertical content sites to serve their context files on demand.

Second, collection and aggregation of the context files allows for various systemic benefits to be achieved from analysis of the context files.

Specifically, the following types of information may be aggregated from the collected context files. The rules used to define the query pre-processing operations can be accumulated and used to identify the most frequently used rules for various query terms. To a large extent this type of information is more reliable, having been essentiality voted on by a large population of interested providers, as opposed to rules designed by a very small team of editors.

Similarly, analysis of the search engine control yields identification of most frequently used search engines, indices, and parameters for particular queries or types of queries. Analysis of the query post-processing operations also identifies the most frequently used annotations, related contexts, ranking and filtering operations.

As mentioned above the context files includes label metadata used by the vertical content providers to describe the characteristics of any site or page on the Internet. In one embodiment, these labels are selected from a publicly provided ontology, so that vertical content providers use the same set of labels to characterize the content of the Internet. The ontology of labels can describe categories and instances of any type. The ontology includes, for example, topics, information types, information sources, user types, and rating scales, just to name a few possible aspects of the ontology. Accordingly, from the cached context files 540 a categorization of Internet content can be derived and validated. By way of simple example, all Internet sites labeled as type “buying guide” and category “digital camera” can be extracted from the cached context files 540. A directory of these digital camera buying guides can then be constructed, for example by selecting those sites having that have a minimum number of appearances in the context files. This approach again leverages the collective judgment of the vertical content providers—that is, the wisdom of crowds—as to the nature, type, and quality of content on the Internet.

From the foregoing, the PSE system 504 can extract and establish a collection of globally optimized context files, where the query pre-processing rules, search engine control data, and query post-processing rules are derived from statistically analysis of cached context files for the frequency, distribution, variability and other measures of the usage of context information.

One scenario for this architecture is to support direct search queries with post-query context processing. In this embodiment, a user query is received directly from the client device 502, without first being passed through a vertical content provider site 504. The user's search query can be received directly at the website of the PSE system 500 (e.g., via search query page), or a search interface in browser toolbar, application, or system extension (e.g., a search interface on the user's desktop). In any event, the user's search query is handled without context based pre-processing (that is, query modification based on a vertical content provider's context files), though internal adjustment of the search query may be performed as part of native search operations. The search results are then post-processed with one or more context files, to provide the various types of navigational links, related context links, and/or annotations on search results as described and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Another beneficial aspect of this architecture is that analysis of the context files also allows for integration of advertisement purchases based on contexts. That is, advertisers can bid for placement of their advertisements in specific contexts, rather than by specific query terms. For example, an advertiser may bid for placement of an advertisement for its digital camera when the context file for a query indicates that the user is shopping for a particular camera model, but not when the user is seeking technical support. This allows advertisers to more precisely focus their advertising efforts based on the user's information needs—which have been expressly described by the context files, rather than merely inferred from the query terms.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an embodiment of a system architecture in which the context processing is provided by the vertical content site itself. In this embodiment again there is a client device 602 including a browser 603, along with a host vertical content site 604, and a general search engine system 600. The vertical content site 604 includes a vertical content server 606 and vertical content files 605 (e.g., a database or directory of web pages). The vertical content site 606 also includes a search engine interface 609 to the search engine system 600, such as a search field and search button as illustrated in FIG. 1. The user accesses the vertical content site 604 and from that site can enter a search query to be processed by the search engine system 600.

In this embodiment, the vertical content site 604 also includes various components for context processing, including a vertical context processor 620 and local vertical context files 607. As before, vertical content server 606 receives a search query from the client device 602, e.g., via the browser 603, and processes the search query to determine context IDs for an appropriate context file. This information is now provided to the vertical context processor 620. The context processor 620 passes the context IDs (and optionally the client device ID, user ID, and query) to the context server 630. The context server 630 uses the context IDs to retrieve context files from the vertical context files 607.

The context server 630 provides the retrieved context file(s) to the context processor 620. The context processor 620 performs the appropriate pre-processing operations as defined in the context file to generate the context-processed search query (including the search engine control data as set forth above). The vertical context processor 620 then invokes the search engine 650 to process the context-processed query.

The search engine 650 receives the reformulated query and search engine control data, and executes the search accordingly, generating the context-processed search results. These results are passed back to the context processor 620, which performs the post-processing operations on the search results as defined in the context file, to further modify the context-processed search results. These processed results are then transmitted back to the client device 602.

The context processor 620 may also provide some or all of the search engine control data to the search engine, depending whether the search engine 650 exposes an application programming interface. In some embodiment, where the search engine 650 is closed, then the context processor 620 simply passes the queries to the search engine 650 and operates on the results. In this embodiment, the context processor 620 itself would use at least some of the search engine control data, for example, selection of which search engine to use. This gives the vertical content site provider control as to which search engines 650 to use with which types of user queries.

Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown an embodiment of a system architecture in which the context processing is provided by the client device site. In this embodiment again there is a client device 702 including a browser 703, along with a host vertical content site 704, and a general search engine system 700.

As before, the vertical host vertical content site 704 includes a vertical content server 706 and vertical content files 705 (e.g., a database or directory of web pages). The vertical content site 706 also includes a search engine interface 709 to the search engine system 700, such as a search field and search button as illustrated in FIG. 1. The user accesses the vertical content site 704 using the browser 703 and from that site can enter a search query to be processed by the search engine system 700.

In this embodiment, the client device 702 includes the various components for context processing. First, the client device 702 includes a browser 703, for accessing the vertical content site 704 as well as any other available site on the network. The client 702 includes a vertical context processor 720, which can operate a plug-in to the browser 703, or Java applet. Once the user makes the query via the vertical content server 706, that query is also provided to the vertical context processor 720. The context processor 720 again processes the search query to determine context IDs for appropriate context files. Since the operation is local to the browser, the context processor 720 can use the context IDs to retrieve context files from the user context files 707.

The context aggregator 1101 combines the received context files to generate an aggregated context, using techniques described herein. The context processor 720 then performs the appropriate pre-processing operations as defined in the context file to generate the context-processed query. The vertical context processor 720 then invokes the search engine 750 to process the context processes query. The search engine 750 receives the context-processed query, and retrieves search results, forming the context-processed results. If appropriate, the context aggregator 1101 combines search results in an intelligent manner so as to provide a unified result set. These results are passed back to the context processor 720, which performs the post-processing operations on the search results as defined in the context file, to further modify the context-processed search results. These results are then passed back to the browser 702.

An advantage of this architecture is that it allows the user to establish and user their own context files. Just as individual vertical content providers have their individual expertise and viewpoint, so to do individual users. Thus, a user may define context files to categorize and label particular websites, for example, identifying the site that she considers most authoritative or useful for particular topics. The user can also define query pre-processing operations, or more likely import such operations from others (e.g., experts in various topical domains) who publish context files for this purpose. Similarly, the user can define post-processing operations that allow for customization in the presentation of results, including arrangement of results into clusters or grouping that the user feels most comfortable with. For example, a user can define a personal context file in which search results are always clustered into academic (.edu), government (.gov), retail shopping (sites having metadata or text indicative of online purchasing), and image files.

The architectures illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 can all operate concurrently with different types of the individual systems operating together. FIG. 8 illustrates this system architecture for mutual and concurrent context processing. All of the system elements communicate via a network 890, such as the Internet.

First, the PSE system 800 includes a complete set of components as described with respect to FIG. 4. The operative features of these components have been previously described and so are not repeated here.

Next, three types of client devices 802 are in operation. Client device 802 a simply has a browser 803 by which it accesses various sites on the Internet. Client device 802 b includes a browser 803, as well as user context files 807, which can be passed to any available context processor 820 for processing in conjunction with a search query provided by the user.

Client device 802 c includes a browser 803 and user context files 807, as well as its own context processor 820. This enables the client 802 c to perform local context processing on the user's search query prior to sending the query to the search engine, and to perform post-processing operations after receiving the search results. This client's browser 803 also includes a search engine interface 809, enabling direct querying of the PSE system 800. Other clients 802 a and 802 b may also include search engine interfaces 809, for example, in the toolbar of their respective browsers 803.

The three types of different vertical content sites 804 are also shown. Vertical content site 804 a includes a content server 806, along with a search engine interface 809 to the PSE system 800, as previously described. The server forwards a user's query (from any type of the client devices 802) to the PSE system 800, providing as well the context ID associated with the user's current context (along with any context related information received from the client device). The site does not need to store its own context files, as these can be stored at the PSE system 800 in the cached context file database 840.

For this type of vertical content site 804 a, the PSE system 800 provides all of the context processing operations. Here, the site 804 a does not provide any specific context ID information. As a result, the PSE system 800 can provide its own context identification mechanisms, for example based on the site 804 a, the client 802, the query terms, or the like. Using the context information, the context server 830 retrieves the appropriate global context files 842, and the context processor 820 uses these files for the context processing operations, including preprocessing of the search query, control of the search engine operation and parameters, and post-query processing. The programmable search engine site 800 passes the context-processed search results back to the requesting client, either directly, or within the scope of the vertical content site 804 b, e.g., using framing techniques.

As with vertical content site 804 a, vertical content site 804 c includes its own content server 806 search engine interface 809, vertical content files 805, as well as local vertical context files 807. This site 804 b receives a search query from a client device 802, and forwards the query along with the context ID for the query context to the PSE system 800. The site's vertical context files 807 are cached in the PSE system's cached context files 840. The PSE system 800 receives the context ID, and uses its context server 830 to retrieve the associated context files for site 804 b from the cached context files 840. The context server 830 may also retrieve any applicable global context file 842. The PSE context processor 830 then processes the retrieved context files, generates the context-processed search query and processes the queries via the search engine 850. The context-processed search results are then further post-processed by the PSE context processor 820, again in accordance with either the site's context files or the global context files 842 (including where appropriate a combination thereof).

The last type of vertical content site 802 c includes its own content server 806 search engine interface 809, vertical content files 805, local vertical context files 807, as well as a local, vertical context processor 820. The local context processor 820 receives the user's search query, along with the context ID for the user's context, and using the referenced context files performs the appropriate pre-processing operations on the query prior to transmitting it to the PSE system 800, along with the search engine control data specified by the context files.

Here, the PSE system 100 can provide various levels of services to the vertical content site 804 c. Minimally, the programmable search engine system 800 can process the received context-processed queries, and execute these queries accordingly via the search engine 850, providing the context-processed search results back to the local context processor 820 for further modification. The local context processor 820 for the vertical content site 804 c provides further post-processing operations specified by the identified context, and then forwards the final set of context-processed search results to the client device 802.

Alternatively, the PSE system 800 can perform some specific context processing operations as instructed by the local context server 820, whether pre-processing, or post-processing, or control of the search engine operations. For example, the local context processor 820 may perform the pre-processing operations to reform the queries, but then use the search engine control data to specify which document collections and search algorithms the search engine 850 should use.

In addition, the PSE system 800 may add its own layer of context processing based on its global context files 842, including generation of additional reformulated queries, control of the search engine 850, and post-processing of search results prior to returning them to the vertical content site's local context processor 820. The vertical content site 804 c can forward the context-processed search results to the client device 802 directly, or can invoke another layer of post-processing operations by the local context processor 820, perhaps to further fine tune the organization, commenting, or navigation features thereof.

The PSE system 800 can provide context processing directly to user queries input at the PSE site from any of the client devices 802. The user's search query can be received directly at the website of the PSE system 800 (e.g., via search query page), or a search interface in browser toolbar, application, or system extension (e.g., a search interface on the user's desktop). Since the user's query is not coming from a vertical content provider, the PSE system 800's context processing can use the global context files 842, including those for annotating search results with links to potentially useful context for the user.

The degree of context processing for direct queries can be varied to include either pre-processing or post-processing individually, or a combination of both. One embodiment of direct query handling provides a context-based post-processing on the search results without context based pre-processing (e.g., query modification). Here, the user's search is received and executed without pre-processing based on the context files of a specific vertical content provider (though some internal adjustment of the query and selection of search indices may optionally be employed to provide the most relevant search results). As described with respect to FIG. 5, the search results are then post-processed with one or more context files to provide the various types of navigational links, related context links, and/or annotations on search results as described and illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The post-processing operations in this scenario can use either global context files 842, or can be based on the context files of any number or selection of the vertical content providers. In one embodiment, a user can identify which the vertical content provider whose context files are to be used for context processing. Identification can be done via a subscription model, in which the user subscribes to have such context processing done for her or her queries, for example via a subscription interface (e.g., page) at the website of the vertical content provider, which then forwards an identifier of the user or the user's client device to the PSE 800. A user may subscribe to a particular vertical content provider in order to have that provider's expertise, perspective or viewpoint applied to the user's search queries and results, without the user having to always enter a query from that vertical content provider's site.

For this embodiment, the PSE system 800 includes a user account database 891, which stores for each user various types of personal preferences for searches, including the subscriptions to particular vertical content providers. The PSE 800 also provides a registration interface (allowing the user to register with the PSE system 800 for storing search preferences, subscription information, and other user settings), and a login interface for the user to login and have the user's settings applied to the user's queries. Direct queries received from the user and/or the user's client device 802 are identified by the PSE 800 and then the appropriate context files to which the user subscribed are used for context processing. In another embodiment, subscription-based context processing is provided for direct user queries for both pre-processing and post-processing operations.

The selection of which vertical content provider's context files are to be used (whether for pre-processing, post-processing or both) can be based on other factors beyond a user's subscriptions, as some users may not have subscribed to any particular vertical content provider. In one embodiment, the selection is based on a popularity measure for each vertical content provider whose context files are included in the cached repository. The popularity measure can be based on web access statistics, like number of unique visitors to a vertical content provider's site each month (or other time period), number of hits to such site, number of current subscribers to the vertical content provider. These and other statistical measures can be combined into a popularity measure. Alternatively, or additionally, the selection can be based on a reputation measure (or rank), where the reputation of each vertical content provider is judged and rated by users.

In summary, the foregoing provides a general overview of the operations and various system architectures useful with the present invention. As can be seen, the present invention can be practiced in a number of different and complementary embodiments. The capability of the present invention enable any system entity to provide context files, context processing, or both, results in both tremendous flexibility and power. The flexibility allows for rapid, widespread and easy implementation of the present invention. Any system entity can provide various levels of operative support, and cooperate with any other system entity, according to the techniques described herein.

The context files and context processing capability can be readily implemented in any vertical content site and in any client. The power of the system derives in part from such widespread distribution and implementation: the more context files and context processing is adopted, the more contextual information can be accumulated and leveraged, for example in the global context files. This enables the PSE system to continually refine and adapt its capabilities to the information needs of the wide variety of users. Further, the widespread use of context files by vertical content developers continually expands the range of information needs and perspectives that can be satisfied, as well as the depth and quality of that information that is used to satisfy such needs.

As described above, a context aggregator 1101, or any other system component, aggregates query results that employ search intelligence derived from a plurality of vertical search sites. Aggregation can include combining search query enhancements, domains, and other pre-processing search parameters. Aggregation can also include post-processing, such as combining various sets of search results. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can be implemented using pre-processing aggregation, post-processing aggregation, or any combination thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 10, there is shown a flowchart depicting a context aggregation method according to one embodiment. The context aggregation method of the present invention is not limited to any particular architecture. The steps of the method depicted in FIG. 10 can be performed by a context aggregator 1101 as shown in any of FIGS. 4-7, or by any other component of a system for practicing the present invention. In one embodiment, the steps are performed by programmable search engine 404. In another embodiment, different steps are performed by different components of the system.

In addition, one skilled in the art will recognize that the particular method steps shown in FIG. 10 are merely illustrative, and that variations can be performed, in which some steps are omitted, changed, and/or added, without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

A search query is received 1001, and a first context 1002 is identified for the query. One or more additional contexts 1003 are also identified. Any number of vertical search engines (VSEs) is identified for each of the identified contexts, each VSE being associated with a vertical content site.

In one embodiment, steps 1002 and 1003 are performed by identifying particular characteristics of the search query, the user performing the query, the client machine, the observed behavior of the user, or the like, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, for example, each context represents an additional query term to be added to the original query; in another embodiment, each context represents a particular vertical search engine to be used for processing the original query; in yet another embodiment, each context represents a modifier or parameter to be applied to the search.

For example, a standardized vocabulary of context types, such as “owning”, “buying”, and the like, can be established, so that similar context types can be identify by virtue of their having consistent names. In one embodiment, additional contexts are identified 1003 in a more sophisticated manner. For example, suppose a user enters a search query associated with vertical site A (either because the query terms map to the subject matter serviced by site A, or because the user entered the query at site A). Further suppose that vertical site A tends to service the same type of users as does vertical site B (for example, both sites are directed to providing guidance in purchasing digital cameras). Thus, even though site B was not explicitly associated with the entered query, the user would likely be interested in results from site B as well. Accordingly, in such a situation, a context corresponding to site B would be identified in step 1003.

One mechanism for identifying such additional contexts 1003 is by observed correlation among visits to the sites: if users who visit site A also visit site B, it can be inferred that both sites tend to service the same types of users. Another mechanism is to observe common or similar result sets in other searches, possibly by statistical correlation analysis of result sets. A third mechanism is by explicit linking of contexts with one another: an administrator may identify particular contexts as being related to other contexts. A fourth mechanism is by observation of similar nomenclature: contexts that use the same or similar terms, tags, and the like, are likely to be related to one another.

Once additional context(s) have been identified, the identified contexts are aggregated 1004. The aggregated context thus represents a set of enhancements and/or modifications to the search query, based on the context of the original search query as well as additional contexts identified in step 1003.

In one embodiment, context aggregation 1004 is performed as follows. Where two or more VSEs have been identified, each associated with a set of contexts, mappings are identified between the contexts associated with the VSEs. To identify corresponding contexts, the system of the present invention uses a combination of the following mechanisms:

1) If both VSEs use the same vocabulary of context names (such as a standardized nomenclature), the contexts are mapped to one another by virtue of the consistent terminology.

2) If the vocabulary is inconsistent from one VSE to another, the following approach is used for VSEs where the contexts are arranged in a tree structure: The system of the present invention first identifies “leaf” contexts in the context tree and tries to map these. The system then computes a similarity score between two leaf contexts based on the overlap between the results produced by the two contexts for either the query at hand or for a standard set of queries. The mapping is then generated based on the results of the similarity score. Contexts that don't have a matching item that is sufficiently similar can either be left out or incorporated as children of their original parents.

Once the mappings of contexts are identified, query results using the contexts are merged to generate a single set of results. Contexts can be merged either for a particular query or in batch mode. Batch merging creates a new merged context.

To merge a pair of contexts for a query, the query is run using each context, and standard rank aggregation techniques are used to effect the merge operation. The results are assembled using ranking and sorting preferences, so that results from one VSE may be interleaved with results from another VSE.

To statically merge a pair of contexts, the system merges the respective elements of the two contexts. For example, a query reformulation from one context can be merged using an OR operation with a query reformulation from another context, to generate a merged context that, when run, is effectively equivalent to the combination of the two original contexts.

The query is pre-processed 1005 according to the aggregated context. As described above, this pre-processing can include any of revising, modifying and/or expanding the query, designating one or more document collections on which to conduct the search, selecting search algorithms for evaluating the query, or any other type of operation that can refine, improve, or otherwise enhance the quality of the user's search query, or any combination thereof. This reformed query is then run 1006, and results are obtained. The results are post-processed 1007 according to the aggregated context. As described above, this post-processing can include any of filtering, reranking, annotating, clustering, and/or categorizing the search results, or any combination thereof.

As described above, query processing according to the present invention includes pre-processing, post-processing, or any combination thereof. According to the method of FIG. 10, therefore either step 1005 or step 1007 may be optional.

The results are then provided 1008 to the user, for example via a results page shown in a browser window.

The following is an example of context aggregation according to one embodiment. Suppose there are two vertical search engines devoted to digital cameras: V1 and V2. Contexts have been developed and associated with each of these VSEs, and each context has its associated annotation files. In one embodiment, all of the contexts of a VSE use the same set of annotation files. For illustrative purposes, suppose V1 has the contexts C1, C2, . . . while V2 has the contexts CA, CB, . . . . For example, some of these contexts (C1, CA) could correspond to choosing a camera, while others (C2, CB) correspond to troubleshooting a camera.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, camera-choosing contexts from both VSEs are aggregated so that the user need only enter one query, at one location, to obtain results relevant to choosing a camera. Similarly, camera-troubleshooting contexts from both VSEs are aggregated; other contexts are similarly aggregated.

In order to accomplish such aggregation, each V1 context C1, C2, . . . , is mapped to a corresponding V2 context CA, CB, . . . . If standard or recommended names (such as “choose”, “troubleshoot”, or the like) are used at each VSE, the determination of correspondence is performed according to the standard names. Alternatively, if no standard name is available, a standard set of queries is performed at each VSE, and the results are mapped according to an appropriate distance metric; the assumption is that corresponding contexts will yield greater similarity of results than non-corresponding contexts. The context mapping need not be one-to-one.

Once the mapping has been performed, the corresponding contexts are merged. For example, if C1 maps to CA, query processing operations (both pre- and post-processing) for C1 and CA are merged with one another to yield a unified set of results. Restrictions, redirections, query reformulations, and the like, are all merged, as follows.

i) Query Reformulation: This operation is merged by computing the query reformulations from both contexts, remove duplicates, and use the resulting set.

ii) Redirections: This operation is merged by computing the redirects from both contexts.

iii) Restrictions: This operation is merged by computing the results passing through each restriction from each of the two contexts. When a restriction R1 from C1 and RA from CA have the same result items satisfying them, one restriction R1 or RA is used. If different result items satisfy the restrictions, all the restrictions from each of the contexts are used, together with their annotations, and the like.

In one embodiment, where the user entered the search query at a general search site (such as google.com), the method of the present invention can yield general results, results from one or more vertical search engines, or any combination thereof. Thus, searches entered at general sites can yield results that are informed by vertical content sites. Based on characteristics of the query (such as query terms) and/or other factors surrounding the query and the user, the system of the present invention automatically determines how to redirect and/or process a search query. Thus, the invention is able to provide improved search results that make use of context intelligence, even when the query is entered at a general search site. In this manner, the present invention integrates access to high-quality vertical search engines (and their results) into an interface for a general search engine, so as to improve the search experience even for those users who have not yet used (and may not even be aware of) these vertical search engines. In addition, aggregation allows these search results to make use of context intelligence from a plurality of sources.

In another embodiment, where the user entered the search query at a vertical search site, it may or may not be desirable to include results from the search engine for that vertical site as well as other vertical search engines; in particular, some vertical search site operators may not want search results from their search engines to be combined with search results from other, competing search engines. Accordingly, an option as to whether or not to include these results from other sites may be available to the search site operator and/or to the user him- or herself.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown an example of a set of context files as might be developed by a vertical content provider for a digital camera related website. This simplified example is used only to illustrate some of the basic aspects of context files, and not as definitive statement of their characteristics.

In this example, the vertical content provider has provided a variety of context files that suit different types of information needs, and different types of available resources. Context files 902 are illustrative of contexts defined for various types of users of digital cameras, such as a professional user searching for a digital camera, a consumer searching for a digital camera, and an owner who already has such a camera. Each of these types of users has different information needs and typically different approaches to evaluating the information she obtains. For example, a professional user is typically most concerned with technical performance issues such as picture quality, durability, and compatibility with an existing set of professional equipment, whereas a consumer user is typically concerned with ease of use, convenience and price. Both of these types of users are seeking information during their purchase process that is quite different from an existing owner. An owner is not typically interested in obtaining further opinions or evaluations of a product, but rather information pertaining to its use, technical support, service, or warranty issues.

Each of these three user type context files 902 contain instructions that enable a context processor to respond to a specific query according to the expected information needs of the user. Thus, the context file 902 d for the professional user may include query revision rules to modify a received query such as “Nikon camera” to “Nikon DX2”, which is a current model of a professional digital SLR, and one deemed by the content provider to be of most interest to the professional user. By contrast, the context file 902 e for the consumer user may include query revision rules to modify this same query to “Nikon Coolpix 7600”, again a current model of the Nikon cameras, and determined by the content provider to be the best Nikon camera for a typical consumer user. Continuing this example then, the vertical content site would pass the consumer context file 902 e to a context processor along with the user query of “Nikon camera”, and the context processor would use the query modification rules to generate the appropriate revised query for execution.

The arrangement and interrelationship of the context files is highly flexible and is decided by the particular vertical content provider. Each of the context files 902 can point to any number of other context files 902 in an arbitrary graph manner, as best determined by the content provider. For example, the consumer user context file 902 e references two other context files, the “Looking for a Camera” context files 902 h, and the “Shopping for a Camera” context file 902 i. These context files more precisely focus on serving the user's intention, the former focusing on the information needs when a user is still looking for a camera and in need of information to evaluate potential products. The latter context is appropriate when a particular camera has been selected and the user is now shopping for the camera based on price, availability, and other factors. Again, each of these context files 902 references different and more selective contexts. Thus, the “Looking for a Camera” context file 902 h references a group of context files 902 k pertaining to various types of reviews of digital cameras. The “Shopping for a Camera” context file 902 i references context files 902 m, 902 l for comparing prices, and for comparing vendors. The context files 902 can also be arranged hierarchically through a series of directories.

As previously discussed, a context file may include query revision rules, and search engine control information that enables the context processor to programmatically tailor the user's query to the information needed, as indicated by the context. For example, once the user enters the “Looking for a Camera” context, that context file 902 h may contain search control data that selects specific websites that contain consumer oriented camera reviews, as deemed appropriate by the vertical content provider. This control data would thus be used by the search engine system to select one or more document collections for targeting the query (or revised queries) thereto.

Similarly, the “Shopping for a Camera” context file 902 i would include search control data that selects various price comparison engines to obtain current market prices on a given camera. These examples illustrate how selection of a context can programmatically vary the search query and search control data and parameters in order to better suit the user's information needs.

It is important to further point out here that the specific editorial decisions reflected in each context file 902—how to revise a query based on whether the user is a professional or a consumer, or which sites to search depending on whether the context is shopping or looking—are made by each vertical content provider individually. This gives each vertical content provider—such as those with expertise in a particular field, such as digital cameras—the ability to define the contexts as they see fit, thereby using their own judgment, expertise, knowledge, and opinions to make the various determinations. Each vertical content provider can define very detailed and precisely crafted contexts, each of which can specifically control the operations of the programmable search engine in responding to a search query. Users ultimately benefit from this individuated capability because the vertical content providers to create a dynamic information “market”: a market not merely for content itself, but for perspective, experience, and knowledge. That is, vertical content providers now offer users the ability to “search the world” through their own point of view, as suggested in FIG. 1 by the text “Search the web with digitalslr.org.”

One mechanism for encapsulating the expertise and judgment of each vertical content provider is, at least in part, the site/page annotation file 900. This context file 900 includes information variously categorizing or describing characteristics of sites or pages on the Internet. In addition to annotating a site or a page, a developer can also annotate all the pages that share a certain URL prefix, whether or not there is an actual page with that prefix. Each entry in the site/page annotation file 900 provides an identifier of a site or page, e.g., a URL, along with a number of tags or token identifying attributes, characteristics, weightings, or other qualitative or quantitative values. The tags can be explicitly typed (e.g., as <tag, value> pairs), or implicitly typed based on order and data format. A URL can specify a site or page completely, or in part as a URL prefix, for some portion of a web site. Such an annotation file can be provided using existing standard formats such as RSS (RDF Site Summary or Really Simple Syndication).

The following are some examples of the contents of a site/page annotation file. These examples might be provided, for example, via an RSS feed or by some other mechanism.

-   -   url, http://www.dealtime.com/xPR-Nikon_D100˜RD81887137412,         descriptor, Review/NegativeReview, rank, 6, comment,         Professional Photographer lists various shortcoming and         compatibility problems     -   url, http://www.dealtime.com/xPR-NikonD100˜RD81887137412,         descriptor, Review/ProfessionalPhotographerReview, rank, 0,         comment, Professional Photographer is less thrilled than many         others about the D100     -   url,         http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinion_text.asp?prodkey.nikon_d100&opinion=15851,         descriptor, Action, rank, 0, comment, Short review on using the         D100 for sports photography     -   url, http://nikonimaging.com/global/news/, descriptor, News,         rank, 3, comment, Nikon's web site. Lots of info, but hard to         navigate     -   url, http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/2dig.htm, descriptor,         Guide, rank, 0, comment, Explains Digital SLRs vs Point and         Shoots     -   url, http://www.luminouslandscape.com/tutorials/nikon-sn.shtml,         descriptor, Review/ProfessionalPhotographerReview, rank, 8,         comment, Extremely detailed, very technical, comparative review     -   url, http://www.photographyreview.com/, descriptor, Review,         rank, 6, comment, Good all around site for photography buffs     -   url, gallery.photographyreview.com/showphoto, descriptor,         Photos, rank, 8, comment, Good showcase of great photography         with a wide range of cameras     -   url, http://www.olympusamerica.com/, descriptor, Manufacturer,         rank, 10, comment, Olympus's web site. Well organized and         informative

In this embodiment of a site/page annotation file 900, each entry is a set of <name, value> pairs, as follows:

URL: provides the network address for where the site or page is located. Note that both specific pages within sites can be identified, as well as home pages for large sites.

Descriptor: a semantic label describing the site or page. The content provider is free to use any labels he or she chooses, since the query processing and post-processing operations are written in terms of rules that can operate on these same descriptors. In the above example, the vertical content provider has labeled various sites/pages to their content type (e.g. “Negative review” or “News” or “Photos”), as well as to the type of entity which provides the information (e.g., “Manufacturer”). Again, these descriptors are merely illustrative, and the selection of which particular descriptors are used to describe a site will be dependent in at least in part on the particular category or topic for the subject matter of the domain.

Referring back then first entry here is for a specifically identified page on a remote site (dealtime.com) that contains a “negative review” of the Nikon D100 camera.

The pre-processing and post-processing operations can use the tags as conditions for evaluation. For example, a post-processing rule in the “Negative Reviews” context file 902 n would select for inclusion in the search results that had a tag “Negative Review/NegativeReview”. The various tags shown above—Manufacturer, Guide, Photos, etc.—are merely illustrative of the scope and variety that can be used. The ability to tag any site or page with a semantic label allows for very powerful pre-processing and post-processing operations by the context processor.

In one embodiment, there is provided a common ontology of tags which can be used, either exclusively or in conjunction with a set of private tags defined by vertical content provider. The ontology includes a hierarchy of categories of information and content on Internet. One useful ontology is provided by the Open Directory Project, found at dmoz.org. All or a portion of such an ontology can be used for the tags. The ontology can be public, as in the OPD, or proprietary, or a combination of both.

Rank: Each entry can have a rank (or “score”, “weight”, etc.) a figure of merit as to the importance, quality, accuracy, usefulness, and the like of the particular page or site. This value is provided by the vertical content provider, again based on his or her own judgment and perspective. The rank value further allows the context processor to selectively include (or exclude) search results that have certain rank values, or to rank individual search results by this value as well.

Comment: Each entry can have a comment, explanation or description that the vertical content provider can use to further describe the page to the user. The comment allows the vertical content provider to further articulate the relationship between the page and the user's information need.

A given site or page can have multiple entries in the site/page annotation file 900, each with its own descriptors, and other tags. For example, the first two entries above are for the same page, but with different descriptors, ranks, comments and so forth. When more than one entry matches a given URL, depending on the use, either both or the most specific entry is applied.

The URL, Descriptor, Rank, and Comment fields are illustrative of the types of information that can be included in the site/page annotation file 900. The vertical content provider can define any number of other or additional attributes, and then define complementary pre-processing and post-processing rules that operate on such attributes. For example, other attributes that can be included in the site/page annotation file include:

Content Type: a designation of the type of site or page, such as guide, scientific article, government report, white paper, thesis, blog, and so forth.

Source Type: a designation of the source of the document, which maybe the same or different than the Tag. For example: government, commercial, non-profit, educational, personal, and so forth. An “Organization” attribute may serve a similar purpose.

Location: a designation of the country, state, country or other geographic region relevant to the page, using names, standard abbreviations, postal codes, geo-codes, or the like.

User Type: a designation of the intended type of user or audience for the site or page. For example, lay person, expert, homemaker, student, singles, married, elderly, and so forth.

The foregoing descriptors are themselves instances or specializations of a generic attribute type “tag”. Accordingly, vertical content providers can choose to simply use the “tag” designation in association with a property value (e.g., tag, “Manufacturer”), or may use some specialization of tag, such as those listed above, or a combination of both approaches. This feature further enhances the flexibility and the extensibility of the present invention.

Any given page or site can have multiple different entries in the site/page annotation file. For example, the first two entries in the above list are for the same page, but have different tags, the first being a Negative Review, and the second being a Professional Photographer Review, different ranks, and different comments. This allows the vertical content provider to express the relevance of a give site for a particular context, rather than being limited to a single inclusion.

A second mechanism for capturing the knowledge and expertise of the vertical content provider is the knowledge base file 904. The knowledge base file 904 is used to describe specific knowledge of concepts, facts, events, persons, and like. This information is encoded in a graph of object classes and instances thereof. A simple knowledge base file 904 could be as follows:

-   -   <KB>     -   <Class id=“CameraModel”/>     -   <Class id=“DigitalSLRCamera”>         -   <subClassOf ref=“CameraModel”/>     -   </Class>     -   <DigitalSLRCamera id=“NikonD100”>         -   <manufacturedIn ref=“Japan”/>         -   <name>D100</name>         -   <name>Nikon D100</name>         -   <manufacturer>Nikon</manufacturer>         -   <brand>Nikon</brand>         -   <format>SLR</format>         -   <madein>Japan</madein>         -   <modelyear>2003</modelyear>         -   <megaPixels>6mp</megaPixels>     -   </DigitalSLRCamera>     -   <DigitalSLRCamera id=“CanonDigitalRebel”>         -   <manufacturedIn ref=“Japan”/>         -   <name>EOS300D</name>         -   <name>Digital Rebel</name>         -   <manufacturer>Canon</manufacturer>         -   <brand>Canon</brand>         -   <format>SLR</format>         -   <madein>Japan</madein>         -   <modelyear>2003</modelyear>         -   <megaPixels>6.5mp</megaPixels>     -   </DigitalSLRCamera>     -   </KB>

This knowledge base defines the class of “CameraModel”, used to identify individual types of cameras. Each a each class had a class id, as shown. A class can then be a subclass of another class. Hence, the class “DigitalSLRCamera” is a subclass of the “CameraModel” class.

Instances of a class can then be defined as well. Here, two different instances of the class “DigitalSLRCamera” are defined by giving it a specific id, here “NikonD100” and “CanonDigitalRebel”, and a listing of a variety of properties, such as their name, manufacturer, location of manufacture, model year, and so forth. The properties for each class are determined by the provider of the knowledge base file 904, such as the vertical content provider.

The programmable search engine may maintain its own global knowledge base file as part of its global context files. This global knowledge base can provide an extensive database encapsulating a vast array of knowledge, concepts, facts, and so forth, as extracted from content on the Internet, provided by experts or editors, or any taken from existing databases. Vertical content providers can then make use of this global knowledge base by providing pre-processing and post-processing operations that make use of such knowledge base information, as further described below.

The context files 902 use a script or markup language to define the various pre-processing, search engine control, and post-processing operations. The various elements of the language are as follows:

Object Evaluation

The knowledge base file 904 can be used to evaluate whether particular objects have defined properties or attributes. In general, there are three basic types of objects that can be evaluated related to the knowledge base: queries, users, and search results. The form of the evaluation commands are generally the same.

The query evaluation commands for evaluating terms using the knowledge base file 904 are as follows:

-   -   <query.denot.property>property_value</query.denot.property>     -   <query.denot.InstanceOf>class_id</query.denot.InstanceOf>     -   <query>query_term</query>

The first type of term based evaluation is used to evaluate whether the concept expressed by one or more query terms matches some object in the knowledge base file that has the specified property with the specified property_value. The context processor processes this command by traversing the knowledge base file 904 (as a graph, for example) until it finds an object having a property with the matching property value. For example, assume the knowledge base file 904 portion described above, and the query evaluation command:

-   -   <query.denot.Manufacturer>Nikon</query.denot.Manufacturer>

and the input search query “D100”.

Here, the query term “D100” matches the name of a camera instance in the knowledge base file 904. The context processor than checks whether the Manufacturer property of that instance is “Nikon”. Since it is, the query “D100” is said to denote a camera manufactured by Nikon, even if that is not specifically disclosed in the query term itself. Accordingly the query evaluation command is satisfied, and the context processor would then take an appropriate action that was dependent on this evaluation. As will be further illustrated below, a variety of different commands to the context processor can be made conditional based on the evaluation of the query evaluation command.

The second type of query evaluation command is query.denot.InstanceOf. This command is evaluated to determine whether a particular query indicates that an instance of a class has been described in the query, rather than property. For example, consider the query evaluation command:

-   -   <query.denot.InstanceOf>DigitalSLRCamera</query.denot>

where the user query is “8mp SLR”.

Here, the query is decomposed into terms “8mp” and “SLR”, and these are checked against the property values for the objects in the knowledge base file. In this example, these properties match the properties for the Nikon D100 camera, satisfying the query evaluation command. Again, the context processor would undertake whatever command was conditioned on the evaluation command.

The last type of query evaluation command <query>query_term</query> is the simplest. The query evaluation command is satisfied if an input search query term matches the query_term.

As noted above, the context files may used with any combination of query evaluation commands as conditional triggers for further context processing. Example of these will be further described below.

As with the evaluation of queries, so too can users and search results be evaluated for their properties, with respect to defined any defined class in the knowledge base file. Thus, the attributes of user can be evaluated with the following command

-   -   <user.property>property_value</user.property>

where property refers to any available property of the user, such as user name, login, account number, location, IP address, site activity and history (e.g., clicks, focus, page dwell time) and so forth. Some of these properties can be locally available from the knowledge base file 904. Alternatively, the property information can be extracted (e.g., queried) from any accessible legacy database (e.g., a customer database, account database, registration database, or other data source), which exports an appropriate programmatic interface. Other properties, such as site activity, are made available from site tracking tools that monitor each user's activity at the vertical content site.

Users can also be evaluated for membership in classes, using the following:

-   -   <user.InstanceOf>class_id</user.instanceOf>

Here, a class of users (e.g., “Professional”) can be defined in the knowledge base file 904, and the properties of the current user compared by the context processor against the properties of an identified class for match in values. If a property match is found, the user is deemed a member of the class.

Similarly, any search result can be evaluated as well, as to its properties, as defined in either the source/page annotation file 900 (or alternatively, in its metatags). Here, the evaluation command would take the form:

-   -   <result.tag>tag_value</result.tag>     -   <result.tag.InstanceOf>class_id<result.tag.InstanceOf>

As a default <result.tag> may be abbreviated to <tag>.

In the first command, a given search result (or set thereof) can be evaluated with respect to its properties, such as, content type, date, source, user type, etc. This outcome of the evaluation can be used to control further context processing. Similarly, search results can be evaluated using the second command syntax to determine if they are instances of various classes defined in the knowledge base file 904.

These following context processing operations can be executed unconditionally, or conditionally based on any of the foregoing types of evaluation operations (e.g., evaluations of query terms, users, or search results).

Query Modification

There are two basic types of query modification rules, those that augment or add terms to a query, and those that replace query terms. The following is example syntax for the query modifier command:

-   -   <QueryModifier type=“augment” value=“query term”/>     -   <QueryModifier type=“replace” query=“query term”         value=“replacement term”/>

The type attribute defines either an augmentation or replacement type query modification. The value attribute includes the query term that is to be added to the user's original input search query, or that is to replace the input search query. The query attribute is optional. If present, then the context processor scans the search query and replaces the any term matching the query term with the replacement term. This is useful, for example, to correct misspellings, expand abbreviations (or contrawise use abbreviations in place of terms), and other in place adjustments. If the query attribute is missing, then the entry query string is replaced by the replacement term. Of course, the replacement term can include any number of terms.

Query modification can made conditional on any of the evaluation commands. For example:

-   -   <QueryModifier type=“augment” value=“Digital SLR”>     -   <query.denot.InstanceOf>DigitalSLRCamera</query.denot>         -   </QueryModifer>

This example would reformulate a query, say the query “D100” to include another query “Digital SLR” since the term “D100” denotes an instance of a digital SLR camera, according to the knowledge base file 904.

As another example:

-   -   <QueryModifier type=“augment” value=“Professional reviews”>     -   <user.property>professional</user.property>     -   </QueryModifer>

In this example, assume again the user's query is “D100.” Here, the properties of the current user are evaluated. If the user is determined to be “professional”, based on properties available from the browser, site activity history, login and password, etc. For example, if the user access a number of pages in the vertical content site dedicated to professional or expert level information (e.g., detailed technical pages), then the user may be inferred to be a “professional” user, even though no other information is known about the user's identity. In this case, the query is reformulated to include the term “professional reviews” even though the user did not include these terms in the query.

These are but a few examples of a how a vertical content provider can extend and improve the user's queries based on his own expertise and the flexible context processing operations.

References to Related Contexts

A context file 902 can reference or include another context file 902, as described above, to form an arbitrary graph of connections. Several elements are used for referencing context files.

A context file can include another context file, as follows:

-   -   <include scr=“path name”>

The include command references another context file 902 as being included in the current context file. The context processor will read the included context file and process all of the instructions therein. Pathname identifies the location of included context file 902. Included context files 902 can be used for any type of context processing operation.

A context file can also identify a related context file, as follows:

-   -   <relContext href=“path name”>         -   <anchorText>context description<anchorText>     -   </relContext>

and

-   -   <relContext href=“path name”>context description</relContext>

The relContext command identifies a related context for the current context file. The relContext command can be used in both pre-processing and post-processing operations. Examples of the use of related contexts in post-processing operations are illustrated in FIG. 11, and in FIGS. 2 and 3. The context description is anchor text that the user will see in the browser. When selected, the identified related context file is retrieved and processed. The first type of related context command is used to define related contexts for varying types of information needs. FIG. 2 illustrates this type of related context via related context links 204. The first link 204 there is associated with a related context file 902 (e.g., context file 902 h) that includes the following instructions:

-   -   <relContext href=“/chooseCamera”>         -   <anchorText>If you are trying to decide which camera to buy             . . . </anchorText>     -   </relContext>

This command is processed by the context processor when the link 204 on the anchor text is selected, and the corresponding context file “cameras/chooseCamera” is retrieved and processed. The resulting page is illustrated in FIG. 3.

The relContext command may also be used with the various types of evaluation commands, to make the reference to the related context conditional. For example:

-   -   <relContext href=“/chooseCamera”>         -   <query.denot.instanceOf>DigitalSLRCamera</query.denot.instanceOf>         -   <anchorText>If you are trying to decide which camera to buy             . . . </anchorText>     -   </relContext>

Here, the related context DigitalSLRCamera is accessed here only if the query.denote command evaluates true, that is where the query terms denote an instance of a model of digital camera listed in the knowledge base file 904. Similar conditional evaluations can be based on the properties of the user or the properties of the search results.

The second type of related context command is used to define related contexts that appear as annotations in conjunction with search results. This type of related context is illustrated in FIG. 2 by related context links 206. For example, the related context file 902 h that generated FIG. 2 also includes the following instructions:

-   -   <relContext href=“cameras/Manufacturer”>More Manufacturer         Pages</relContext>

Here, the anchor text “More Manufacturer Pages” is then linked to the associated context file 902, which contains further instructions to searching and displaying pages for digital camera manufacturers.

The relContext command takes as an href any valid URL, and thus, can also reference any available Internet site. For example, the relContext command can directly link to an online encyclopedia or dictionary to provide an annotation for a search result that would provide a detailed explanation of the result.

In pre-processing operations, a second type of cross reference to related context is used, context redirection. The command format for the context redirection command is as follows:

-   -   <contextRedirect href=“pathname”>redirection         condition*</contextRedirect>

Again, pathname indicates the location of another context file to be processed if certain redirection conditions are met. The redirection conditions (one or more as indicated by “*”) can be based on any available information about the query (e.g., query terms, or information dependent thereon), the user (e.g., IP address, login, site click through history, prior purchases), or other programmatically available information.

In one embodiment the redirection conditions can be based on the any evaluation commands previously discussed:

-   -   <query.denot.property>property_value</query.denot.property>     -   <query.denot.InstanceOf>class_id</query.denot.InstanceOf>     -   <query>query_term</query>     -   <user.property>property_value</user.property>     -   <user.InstanceOf>class_id</user.instanceOf>     -   <result.tag>tag_value</result.tag>     -   <result.tag.InstanceOf>class_id</result.tag.InstanceOf>

For example, assume the knowledge base file 904 portion described above. Further, assume the redirection command:

-   -   <contextRedirect href=“Nikon_cameras”>         -   <query.denot.Manufacturer>Nikon</query.denot.Manufacturer>     -   </contextRedirect>

and the input search query “D100”.

As above, the query evaluation command is positively evaluated, since the query term “D100” matches the name of a camera instance in the knowledge base file 904, which instance has the Manufacturer property value “Nikon”. The context processor thus executes the context redirection command and accesses the context file “Nikon_cameras” for further processing. This capability allows the vertical content provider to his or her own knowledge base to analyze queries and reformulate them on behalf of the user.

The user evaluation user.InstanceOf can likewise be used to redirect context processing based on the particular user properties For example, consider the redirection command:

-   -   <contextRedirect href=“NegativeRrofessionalReviews”>         -   <user.InstanceOf>Professional_User</user.InstanceOf>     -   </contextRedirect>

Here, the properties of the user can be ascertained from the knowledge base file 904, and other information as described (e.g., site history). If the user is determined to be a professional user, then the context processor accesses and processes the NegativeProfessionalReviews context file.

As mentioned, any number of redirection conditions (e.g. evaluations) can be used together in a context redirection command such as:

-   -   <contextRedirect href=“Recommended_SLR_cameras”>         -   <query.denot.megapixels             matchType=“greaterThanOrEqualTo”>6mp</query.denot.megapixels>         -   <query.denot.megapixels             matchType=“lessThanOrEqualTo”>8mp</query.denot.megapixels>         -   <query.denot.modelyear>2005</query.denot.modelyear>     -   </contextRedirect>

which would effect the context redirection only when all of the redirection conditions are satisfied, e.g., for a query containing the terms which denote digital SLR cameras with between 6 mp and 8 mp, for the 2005 model year.

The context redirection is particularly powerful when combined with the query modification rules, previously discussed. A vertical content provider can define a number of context redirections based on query terms, each of redirects the context processor to an appropriate context file, depending on say, whether the query denotes shopping for a camera versus seeking customer warranty information. In the respective target context files, specific query modification rules would then be processed to reformulate the query as most appropriate given the identified context.

Restriction

In post-processing operations, the context files can be used to control the scope, number, or types of results and entries that are provided to the user. To this end, the context files can include conditional instructions that define various types of restrictions (e.g., filters). These restrictions are provided by the restriction command. This command has the following syntax:

-   -   <Restriction count=“n”>         -   restriction condition*         -   restriction action*     -   </Restriction>

The restriction condition operates in a similar manner to the redirection condition previously discussed. Here, the restriction condition is evaluated with respect to the attributes (tags), if any, associated with the search results, as compared to the entries in the site/page annotation file. Any attribute (or set of attributes) can be used as restriction conditions, such as the type, source, year, location, of a document or page, to name but a few. The context processor receives the search results (here a set of candidate search results) from the search engine, and compares each candidate result (be it a site, page, media page, document, etc.) with the entries listed in the site/page annotation file 900. Only those candidate results which are listed in the annotation file 904 and have the specified matching attributes are included in the context-processed search results. The restriction count is an optional parameter and indicates how many of the matching results are to be included in the context-processed search results. If left out, then all matching results are included.

The restriction action is an optional parameter that specifies a further action to take if the restriction condition is met. This action includes, for example, annotating the search results with a link to a related context (using the relContext command), such as links 206 illustrated in FIG. 2.

Consider the following example:

-   -   <Restriction count=“2”>         -   <descriptor>Review</descriptor>         -   <rank>5+</rank>         -   <relContext href=“Reviews”>More Review</relContext>     -   </Restriction>     -   <Restriction count=“2”>         -   <descriptor>Guide</descriptor>         -   <rank>5+</rank>         -   <relContext href=“Guides”>More Guides</relContext>     -   </Restriction>

Assume that the search query was a general query on “digital cameras”, and that the search results returned 1,000,000 pages covering everything from manufacturer's and retailers of digital cameras, to online user forums and services for printing photographs. Since the user's search was quite general, the vertical content provider can use the post-processing to provide a selection of a number of different types of search results, as illustrated, for example in FIG. 2. In processing the above code example then, the first restriction command causes the context processor to select the first two search results that have matching entries (i.e., matching URLs or portions thereof) in the site/page annotation file 900 and include the descriptor “Review”. The context processor also uses the restriction action for the related context, to annotate these two search results with a link to related context file “Reviews”, with the link labeled “More reviews.” FIG. 2 shows an example of such annotation link 206.

The second restriction causes the context processor to select the first two search results that have matching entries in the site/page annotation file and include the descriptor “Guide.” The context processor would then use the restriction action to annotate these results with a link to the related context file “Guides.”

As mentioned previously, the context processing operations can undertaken by multiple different entities in the system, including at the client device, the vertical content site, and the programmable search engine, each using their own locally available context files. Thus, all of the above describe features can be effectively integrated within and between different system entities. For example, a vertical context provider can define a context file that defines various context redirections using the redirection condition based on the global knowledge base files. This enables the vertical content provider to leverage the global knowledge base, but add their own personal perspective and judgment to its underlying facts.

Search Engine Control Data

Finally, context files 902 can contain instructions that control the operation of the programmable search engine itself in terms the selection of which particular document collections to be searched, and various algorithmic or parametric settings for the search engine. Selection of a document collection for searching is provided by the following command:

-   -   <Corpus ref=“document_collection”>         -   //other context operations//     -   </Corpus>

The corpus command takes as its argument a reference to the name (or URL) or a selected document collection. The document collection name is mapped (either locally, or by the programmable search engine) to document collection and corresponding index available to the programmable search engine (e.g. particular index in the content server/index 870).

The corpus command can be made conditional using any of the foregoing described evaluation commands, as well as including any of the restriction, redirection, related context, and so forth.

For example, a particular document collection may be selected where the query is determined using the evaluation commands to include certain keywords or instances of objects in the knowledge base. Thus, a query that is evaluated to include a query term denoting a scientific term, like “Heloderma suspectum”, or a medical term, would then cause a selection of an appropriate scientific literature database.

Control of search engine parameters is via the SearchControlParams operations. In general, most modern search engines use a number of different attributes of a search query and the individual indexed documents (e.g., frequencies of terms in URL, anchor text, body, page rank etc.) to determine which documents best satisfy the query. The documents are then ranked accordingly. A ranking function is essentially a weighted combination of the various attributes. Normally, the weights of the attributes are fixed, or at least not externally controllable by third parties. The SearchControlParam however gives vertical content providers access to these weights. The syntax is as follows:

-   -   <SearchControlParams>         -   <attribute-name>weight</attribute-name>         -   <attribute-name>weight</attribute-name>         -   . . .     -   </SearchControlParams>

Here, attribute-name is the name of the particular attribute used by the search engine to calculate a relevance ranking. The specific attribute names are disclosed by the programmable search engine provider, since they are internal to that provider's own engine. Typical attributes, as indicated above including term frequency in URL, term frequency in body, term frequency in anchor text, term frequency in markup, page rank. The SearchControlParams operator can work with any exposed attribute or parametric control of a programmable search engine, and thus the foregoing are understood to be merely exemplary. The weights used in this operator can be either normalized or non-normalized, and in the latter case, the input weights can be internally normalized by the context processor or by the search engine itself. A vertical content provider need not specify weights for all the attributes the search engine uses, but only those of interest to the provider of the context file.

The present invention has been described in particular detail with respect to one possible embodiment. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced in other embodiments. First, the particular naming of the components, capitalization of terms, the attributes, data structures, or any other programming or structural aspect is not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the invention or its features may have different names, formats, or protocols. Further, the system may be implemented via a combination of hardware and software, as described, or entirely in hardware elements. Also, the particular division of functionality between the various system components described herein is merely exemplary, and not mandatory; functions performed by a single system component may instead be performed by multiple components, and functions performed by multiple components may instead be performed by a single component.

Some portions of above description present the features of the present invention in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on information. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. These operations, while described functionally or logically, are understood to be implemented by computer programs. Furthermore, it has also proven convenient at times, to refer to these arrangements of operations as modules or by functional names, without loss of generality.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the above discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “calculating” or “determining” or “identifying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

Certain aspects of the present invention have been described using commands, mnemonics, tokens, formats, syntax, and other programming conventions. The particular selections of the names, formats, syntax, and like are merely illustrative, and not limiting. Those of skill in the art can readily construct alternative names, formats, syntax rules, and so forth for defining context files and programming the operations a programmable search engine via context processing.

Certain aspects of the present invention include process steps and instructions described herein in the form of an algorithm. It should be noted that the process steps and instructions of the present invention could be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, and when embodied in software, could be downloaded to reside on and be operated from different platforms used by real time network operating systems.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored on a computer readable medium that can be accessed by the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, and each coupled to a computer system bus.

The algorithms and operations presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may also be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will be apparent to those of skill in the art, along with equivalent variations. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It is appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the present invention as described herein, and any references to specific languages are provided for disclosure of enablement and best mode of the present invention.

Finally, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: providing, to a client device, information for presenting a search engine user interface for a third party content provider; receiving, from the client device, a search query entered using the search engine user interface; processing the search query to determine a context identifier for a context file; retrieving a context file from the third party content provider identified by the context identifier; modifying the search query using one or more commands to produce a context processed search query, wherein the one or more commands are contained in the context file; providing the context processed search query to a search engine; obtaining, from the search engine, context processed search results responsive to the context processed search query; and providing the context processed search results to the client device.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining multiple context files; and aggregating commands in the multiple context files into a set of aggregated commands.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein modifying the search query using the one or more commands to produce a context processed search query comprises: processing the search query using the aggregated commands to produce the context processed search query.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein providing the context processed search results comprises: providing the context processed search results in accordance with the aggregated commands.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the commands comprise a command that reformulates the search query.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the commands comprise a command that specifies a document collection in which to conduct a search.
 7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein providing the context processed search results to the client device comprises performing post-processing operations on the context processed search results in accordance with the commands.
 8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the commands comprise a command that re-ranks the context processed search results.
 9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the commands comprise a command that removes duplicate results from the context processed search results.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the context file comprises annotations associated with potential search engine results; and providing the context processed search results further comprises: applying the annotations from the context file to the context processed search results.
 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the commands are for modifying the search query and for processing search results responsive to the modified search query.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the context file from the client device or the search engine.
 13. A system of one or more computers configured to perform operations comprising: providing, to a client device, information for presenting a search engine user interface for a third party content provider; receiving, from the client device, a search query entered using the search engine user interface; processing the search query to determine a context identifier for a context file; retrieving a context file from the third party content provider identified by the context identifier; modifying the search query using one or more commands to produce a context processed search query, wherein the one or more commands are contained in the context file; providing the context processed search query to a search engine; obtaining, from the search engine, context processed search results responsive to the context processed search query; and providing the context processed search results to the client device.
 14. The system of claim 13, the operations further comprising: obtaining multiple context files; and aggregating commands in the multiple context files into a set of aggregated commands.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein modifying the search query using the one or more commands to produce a context processed search query comprises: processing the search query using the aggregated commands to produce the context processed search query.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein providing the context processed search results comprises: providing the context processed search results in accordance with the aggregated commands.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the commands comprise a command that reformulates the search query.
 18. The system of claim 13, wherein the commands comprise a command that specifies a document collection in which to conduct a search.
 19. The system of claim 13, wherein providing the context processed search results to the client device comprises performing post-processing operations on the context processed search results in accordance with the commands.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the commands comprise a command that re-ranks the context processed search results.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the commands comprise a command that removes duplicate results from the context processed search results.
 22. The system of claim 13, wherein the context file comprises annotations associated with potential search engine results; and providing the context processed search results further comprises: applying the annotations from the context file to the context processed search results.
 23. The system of claim 13, wherein the commands are for modifying the search query and for processing search results responsive to the modified search query.
 24. The system of claim 13, the operations further comprising obtaining the context file from the client device or the search engine.
 25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program comprising commands that, when executed, operate to cause one or more computers to perform operations comprising: providing, to a client device, information for presenting a search engine user interface for a third party content provider; receiving, from the client device, a search query entered using the search engine user interface; processing the search query to determine a context identifier for a context file; retrieving a context file from the third party content provider identified by the context identifier; modifying the search query using one or more commands to produce a context processed search query, wherein the one or more commands are contained in the context file; providing the context processed search query to a search engine; obtaining, from the search engine, context processed search results responsive to the context processed search query; and providing the context processed search results to the client device.
 26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, the operations further comprising: obtaining multiple context files; and aggregating commands in the multiple context files into a set of aggregated commands.
 27. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein modifying the search query using the one or more commands to produce a context processed search query comprises: processing the search query using the aggregated commands to produce the context processed search query.
 28. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 26, wherein providing the context processed search results comprises: providing the context processed search results in accordance with the aggregated commands.
 29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the commands comprise a command that reformulates the search query.
 30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the commands comprise a command that specifies a document collection in which to conduct a search.
 31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein providing the context processed search results to the client device comprises performing post-processing operations on the context processed search results in accordance with the commands.
 32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the commands comprise a command that re-ranks the context processed search results.
 33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the commands comprise a command that removes duplicate results from the context processed search results.
 34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the context file comprises annotations associated with potential search engine results; and providing the context processed search results further comprises: applying the annotations from the context file to the context processed search results.
 35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, wherein the commands are for modifying the search query and for processing search results responsive to the modified search query.
 36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 25, further comprising obtaining the context file from the client device or the search engine. 